ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I – 37010394

Requisition No: 814810

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST I – 37010394

Position Number: 37010394

Salary: $39,000.00 – $41,000.00 Annual

Posting Closing Date: 10/27/2023

Environmental Specialist I
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest District

Our Organization and Mission:
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem.
The Work You Will Do:
This is entry-level professional work performing scientific tasks under general supervision conducting compliance duties within the Environmental Resource and State 404 program to include, but not limited to, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater program. The job requires skills in applying instructions to accomplish different job functions and a general understanding of scientific principles.
The Difference You Will Make:
Your role as Environmental Specialist is critical to fulfilling our district’s mission of creating strong community partnerships and safeguarding Florida’s natural resources.
How You Will Grow:
DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.
Where you will work:
The Northwest District is located along the Gulf Coast. We proudly serve 16 counties in the Florida panhandle including Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington. The Northwest district has three offices located in Pensacola, Panama City and Tallahassee; this position is available at either the Panama City or Tallahassee office.
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
Pay:
Annual salary – $39,000.00 – $41,000.00
Your Specific Responsibilities:
Facility Compliance: In general, this position will conduct a high volume of low complexity inspections and file/data reviews.

• Plans and conducts inspections, site visits and other required field work, or conducts records reviews necessary for compliance evaluations. This includes, but is not limited to, reviewing permit files, reports and other documents, as well as performing calculations and technical reviews. When necessary, makes enforcement recommendations to supervisor.
• Conducts follow-up activities to assist facilities in returning to compliance without enforcement.
• Responds to, investigates and takes steps to resolve complaints.
• When necessary, recommends enforcement action. Participates in the drafting of enforcement documents and participates in enforcement meetings.
• Supports, participates and assists in the execution of compliance assistance workshops for the regulated community.

Training:

• Participates and assists with internal training events/activities to gain the essential skills needed to determine the compliance status of regulated facilities. This includes participating in safety events, job shadowing, on the job training and team building initiatives as directed by management.
• Is a self-advocate for training, and partners with appropriate district staff to learn about multiple DEP program areas.

Report Processing:

• Produces timely and accurate documentation of file reviews, inspections, site visits or field work. Enters documentation, compliance data and resolution actions into the designated database.
• Reviews required reports, test reports and notices for regulated facilities.
• Ensures the reviews are accurate, completed timely and entered into the designated database.
• Processes reports in accordance with established program rules, requirements and policies.

Performs other duties as needed.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
2. Ability to communicate in a tactful and courteous manner both verbally and in writing.
3. Ability to effectively collect, evaluate, analyze and interpret scientific or technical data.
4. Ability to follow direction and policy.
5. Ability to demonstrate personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability.
6. Ability to physically conduct field inspections/investigations that may involve working outdoors for extended periods of time in temperatures and weather conditions typical of Florida and navigating areas with rough terrain.
7. Skill in determining work priorities to ensure timely completion of work assignments without close supervision.
8. Skill in maintaining effective and productive working relationships with others.
9. Skill in dealing with conflicts, confrontations, and disagreements in a positive manner.
10. Skill and proficiency in computer operations and programs such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint and Outlook.
11. Knowledge of the fundamentals of identifying soils, plants and wildlife in aquatic and wetland ecosystems found in Florida.
12. Knowledge of field sampling techniques for soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment.
13. Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and analytical techniques of the physical or natural sciences.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described above, for a total of four years.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to travel
• Must complete 24–hour HAZWOPER course and required refreshers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher with a major in engineering, environmental science, or one of the natural sciences.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:
HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us
HR_Recruitment@dep.state.fl.us

For questions regarding this position please contact: Ryan Hetrick, Environmental Manager at Ryan.Hetrick@Floridadep.gov

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.